Mark Chao plays the lead role in ‘Young Detective Dee: Rise of the Sea Dragon.’

Since his breakout role in “Monga,” Mark Chao has become a highly sought-after leading man. Playing a youthful gangster in that 2010 Taiwanese action-drama, he combined a tough-guy exterior with sensitive romantic caught up in a violent world.

He went on to play romantic leads in last year’s ensemble drama “Love” from Taiwan and this year’s mainland China hit “So Young.” The directorial debut of actress Zhao Wei, “So Young” earned 717.3 million yuan ($117.2 million) and is among the country’s 10 highest-grossing films, according to media-research firm EntGroup Inc.

Director Tsui Hark’s 150-million-yuan 3-D martial-arts movie is a prequel to his 2010 hit, “Detective Dee and the Mystery of the Phantom Flame,” which starred Andy Lau as the real-life Tang Dynasty-era judge investigating a series of grisly palace murders during the rule of China’s only female emperor, Empress Wu Zetian (played by Carina Lau in both movies).

Mr. Chao inherits the title role in the new film—opening in China and Hong Kong this weekend—which shifts the action to the start of Detective Dee’s career as he probes a mysterious sea monster and a royal conspiracy.

The actor, who turned 29 years old this week, spoke with the Journal about stepping into Andy Lau’s shoes, dealing with fame and why he’s turned down all offers from Hollywood. Edited excerpts follow.

This role is quite different from what you’ve done previously. How did you get involved?

I was pretty surprised when Tsui Hark approached me and said, “Hey, we’re going to shoot the prequel and we’d like you to be Detective Dee.” I thought, “Isn’t that Andy Lau’s role?” But he said he needed a younger actor because [the story takes place about 25 years earlier than “Phantom Flame”].

What was your reaction?

I asked the director, “Why did you pick me?” I always ask that question because I want to know what’s special about me, so I can maybe explore that part. He said, “I don’t know—probably because no one would expect to see you in that role.” So I took the role. It’s kind of an honor because I admire Andy Lau.

I asked him if he wanted me to continue the character that Andy Lau created. He said, “No, because Andy has his way and you have your way.” He wanted me to create a completely different role.

This is the biggest movie you’ve done in terms of budget and special effects. How was it different from your other films?

I was pretty overwhelmed when I first stepped on the set, because there were about 600 people there at all times. I didn’t know I had stepped up to this big playfield, and I suddenly felt, “What if I can’t carry this role?” All the weight was on my shoulders.

And how did it go?

Tsui Hark doesn’t really talk much on the set. He’d set up the camera and lighting and tell everyone what to do, and then he’d go back to his tent [to watch the action] in front of the monitor. Sometimes I would work a whole day and wouldn’t see him. I didn’t know if the character that I created suited his needs—he never said a word. I was a little scared. I thought maybe he had given up on me.

Didn’t you think that his silence just meant he was satisfied?

Yeah, like a month later I realized that. He just didn’t want to waste any extra energy to give me compliments, so he didn’t say anything except, “Just do what you’re doing.”

There’s a lot of anticipation for this movie. How are you dealing with the pressure?

I think you can’t really avoid the audience comparing me to Andy Lau—there is always that part of the pressure. But I think it will be OK because it’s a completely different movie. It’s the same characters, but the story’s different. The way Detective Dee carries himself is different—he’s kooky and funny, and he’s not as serious as Andy’s Detective Dee.

I think I’m doing OK, because my dad [Allen Chao] is in the field, too: an actor, host, singer. I’ve been dealing with fame ever since I was little—I went through the whole thing with him—so I had an idea coming into the business. But once you’re in it—even though you know what’s going to happen—when it hits you it’s kind of overwhelming.

And the stress?

It’s important for me to find where my passion is. I’ve never strived to gain fortune or fame. The important things for me are just doing a good job, being a good actor and taking care of my family. That’s pretty much it. The fame thing doesn’t really bother me that much because I have kept it pretty balanced.

Is Hollywood in your future?

I have been approached a few times, but I’ve always turned them down because—no offense to Hollywood, because I love Hollywood films—I would rather have a significant role before I step in. It’s pretty hard to get the leading role in a Hollywood movie for an Asian actor unless you’re Jackie Chan or Jet Li, because they do the action stuff. But it’s hard for an Asian to get a leading dramatic role. I don’t think there’s a point for me to be the token Chinese guy in a Hollywood film just to be in Hollywood.